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4.9
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Manual Printing

We offer affordable manual printing services for companies, events, educational programs, and more. Whether you need a small batch or a large print run, we help you create high-quality training handbooks, employee manuals, product and service guides, user instructions, and study materials that are clear, durable, and easy to use.

Choose from a variety of formats, including loose-page manuals, saddle-stitched booklet, perfect bound and coil-bound options. Customize your manual further with different sizes, paper types, and special finishes to ensure a professional, polished result that meets your specific needs and enhances usability.

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What is Manual Printing

Manual printing refers to professionally producing instruction manuals, user guides, training handbooks, employee books, and technical documentation. It focuses on clear layouts, readable text, and durable materials to ensure information is easy to understand and use. Our manual printing provide a wide range of custom options like sizes, paper stocks, binding styles, special finishes, pockets, tab dividers, and more. These tailored manuals support daily reference, onboarding, training, and product use across industries.

Common Manual Sizes

The size of a manual largely depends on its content, purpose, and how it will be used. The most common standard size is 8.5″ × 11″ (US Letter), which works well for professional, technical, or information-rich documents. For manuals that need to be more portable, 5.5″ × 8.5″ (half-letter) is often preferred, making it easy to carry as a quick-reference guide.

Common Manual Sizes:

  • Bound Manuals: 4.25″ × 5.5″, 4″ × 6″, 5″ × 7″, 5.5″ × 8.5″, 6″ × 9″, 8.5″ × 11″, A4 (210 mm x 297 mm), A5 (148 mm x 210 mm)

  • Folded Manuals: 8.5″ × 11″, 8.5″ × 14″, 11″ × 17″, 11″ × 22″

While standard sizes are generally more cost-effective, custom trim sizes allow you to fully realize creative or specific design needs, making your manual truly unique. Choosing the right size ensures readability, functionality, and a professional appearance tailored to your audience.

Paper Options for Manual Printing

The paper choice for manual printing depends on factors such as your content, purpose, design style, and the overall look and feel you want to achieve. Glossy art paper is ideal for manuals with image-heavy layouts or vibrant illustrations, as it produces bright, sharp colors and a polished finish. Matte art paper offers a smooth, non-reflective surface, providing a professional, sophisticated appearance while maintaining readability.

For a more natural, eco-friendly, or text-focused manual, uncoated paper is a great option, giving a soft, tactile feel that is easy to write on and comfortable to read. Selecting the right paper ensures your manual is visually appealing, durable, and functional for its intended use.

glossy art paper-1
Glossy Art Paper
matte art paper-1
Matte Art Paper
uncoated paper-1
Uncoated Paper

Glossy Art Paper

  • 80 gsm / 54 lb Text

  • 105 gsm / 71 lb Text

  • 128 gsm / 86 lb Text

  • 157 gsm / 106 lb Text

  • 200 gsm / 135 lb Text

  • 250 gsm / 92 lb Cover

  • 300 gsm / 111 lb Cover

  • 350 gsm / 129 lb Cover

Matte Art Paper

  • 80 gsm / 54 lb Text

  • 105 gsm / 71 lb Text

  • 128 gsm / 86 lb Text

  • 157 gsm / 106 lb Text

  • 200 gsm / 135 lb Text

  • 250 gsm / 92 lb Cover

  • 300 gsm / 111 lb Cover

Uncoated Paper

  • 80 gsm / 54 lb Text

  • 100 gsm / 68 lb Text

  • 120 gsm / 81 lb Text

  • 140 gsm / 95 lb Text

  • 160 gsm / 108 lb Text

  • 180 gsm / 122 lb Text

Self-covers are a cost-effective option where the cover is printed on the same paper as the interior. Choosing a heavier cover stock enhances durability and creates a more professional, polished look, especially for manuals that will be handled frequently or displayed.

Interior paper is selected based on page count and content. For standard 8.5″ × 11″ shorter manuals, 128–157 gsm is typical, while under 32 pages with perfect binding, 200 gsm provides a thicker, premium feel. For longer manuals, lighter 80–105 gsm paper reduces bulk while ensuring smooth page turning, crisp text, and clear image reproduction.

At BookPrintingChina, we also offer a wide range of special papers and materials to meet unique design and branding needs. For example,

FSC-certified paper
FSC-certified Paper

We provide FSC-certified paper choices and can print the FSC logo on your product to highlight its eco-friendly quality.

textured paper
Textured Paper

Paper with tactile surfaces such as linen or felt, adding depth, character, and a premium artistic & handcrafted feel.

vellum paper
Vellum Paper

Translucent, smooth paper that creates layered visual effects, commonly used for inserts, title pages, overlays, or special design accents.

Not sure which paper is right for your project? Get in touch with our printing experts for personalized recommendations.

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Request Paper Sample

Manual Folding and Binding Options

At BookPrintingChina, we offer a wide range of binding options for bound manuals and versatile fold styles for loose-page manuals.

Binding Options

perfect bound
Perfect Binding

After printing, pages are folded, collated, and glued together, then attached to a flexible cover at the spine. This binding method creates a neat, professional look and is well suited for thicker manuals needing strength and durability.

saddle stitch binding-1
Saddle Stitch

Saddle stitched binding, also called staple binding, folds pages together and secures them with staples along the spine. This cost-effective method allows manuals to open flat and works best for projects under 64 pages.

wire-o binding-3
Spiral & Wire-o Binding

Spiral or wire-O binding uses plastic coils or metal wires to hold pages securely, allowing them to open fully and lay flat. It’s an ideal choice for training handbooks, reference guides, and instructional materials that require frequent handling.

Fold Styles

Tri-Fold
Tri-fold

Trifold folding divides a sheet into three panels, ideal for brochures, manuals, and compact information layouts.

half fold
Half fold

Half fold divides a sheet into two equal panels, creating a clean, simple layout for brochures.

z-fold-1
Z Fold

Z fold creates zigzag panels that unfold smoothly, perfect for step-by-step information and visual storytelling.

Double Parallel Fold
Double Parallel Fold

Double parallel fold folds a sheet twice in the same direction, creating compact panels for organized content.

French Fold
French Fold

French fold, or quarter fold, folds a sheet twice to create four panels, perfect for compact brochures and mailers.

gate fold
Gate Fold

Gate fold features two side panels opening inward to reveal a central panel with strong visual impact.

Double Gate Fold
Double Gate Fold

Double gate fold has two sets of side panels that open inward, revealing two central panels.

Accordion fold
Accordion Fold

Accordion fold, or zig-zag fold, repeatedly folds a sheet in alternating directions, creating multiple panels.

If you’re unsure which binding best suits your project or can’t find the option you need, please contact our expert team or visit our “binding” pages for detailed guidance.

Finish Options

We offer a variety of special treatments designed to enhance your manual’s visual appeal, durability, and functionality. From eye-catching finishes to protective coatings and practical features, these options help your manual look professional, last longer, and deliver a better user experience.

glossy lamination-1
Glossy Lamination

Glossy lamination adds a shiny, reflective finish that enhances colors, protects the cover from scratches.

matte lamination-1
Matte Lamination

Matte lamination provides a smooth, non-reflective finish that feels soft to the touch, reduces glare.

soft touch lamination-1
Soft-touch Lamination

Soft touch lamination creates a velvety, suede-like finish that feels luxurious, reduces fingerprints.

spot UV-1
Spot UV

Spot UV adds glossy, raised highlights to specific design areas, creating contrast, enhancing detail.

varnish
Varnish

Varnish provides a protective coating that enhances durability, reduces smudging, and adds subtle shine.

foil stamping-1
Foil Stamping

Foil stamping applies metallic or pigmented foil onto the surface using heat and pressure, creating eye-catching, luxurious accents.

embossing-1
Emboss

Embossing creates a raised, three-dimensional design on paper, cloth or leather, adding texture, depth.

debossing on paper
Deboss

Debossing creates an indented design pressed into paper, cloth or leather, adding subtle texture and depth.

perforated-1
Perforated

Perforated pages feature small, evenly spaced holes or cuts, allowing easy and clean tearing or detachment.

divider tabs
Index Tabs

Manuals with index tabs organize content clearly, allowing quick section access and improved usability for readers.

custom pocket
Pocket

Built-in pockets securely hold inserts, documents, or reference materials, adding convenience and organization to manuals.

holographic cover
Holographic Cover

Holographic covers add eye-catching shine and modern appeal, creating a distinctive, premium look for manuals.

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View All Finishes

Questions & Answers

Manual duplex printing means printing on both sides of the paper by hand. The printer prints one side first, then you manually flip and reinsert the paper to print the other side.

It’s often used when a printer doesn’t support automatic double-sided printing, or when extra control is needed to avoid alignment or paper-feeding issues—especially with specialty paper or small print runs.

Yes, you can add tabs, inserts, pullouts, and other special elements to your manual. These features help organize content, improve navigation, and enhance usability. Tabs make sections easy to find, while inserts and pullouts are great for reference guides, forms, or additional information, adding both functionality and value to your manual.

Our minimum order quantity for manual printing usually starts at 500 copies. For smaller quantities, we also offer digital printing options for samples or short-run projects.

For optimal printing results, we recommend submitting high-resolution PDF files with all fonts and images embedded, including a 3 mm bleed on all sides. If your files are created in InDesign or Illustrator, please export them as print-ready PDFs to ensure accurate colors, layout, and alignment.

Yes, our prepress team offers free file checking to ensure your files are print-ready. We can also provide templates, and basic layout guidance if needed.

For small files, you can upload them directly through our online inquiry form or send them via email to sales@bookprintingchina.com. For large files, please share a download link using platforms such as WeTransfer, Dropbox, or Google Drive.

Yes! You can order a physical sample before placing an order to check our paper, binding and finish and printing quality.

Yes, we offer several proofing options, including PDF proof, physical sample, dummy sample, digital printed sample, and offset printed sample.

After you complete the deposit and before mass production, we usually provide a digital printed sample for your confirmation.

Manual production time usually takes 7-15 days after the final file is approved. The exact timeline depends on the order quantity, binding, design complexity, and our current production schedule. Shipping time will vary based on your destination and chosen shipping method.

We offer air, sea, and express shipping (DHL, FedEx, UPS). Our team will recommend the most cost-effective and reliable method based on your delivery time and budget.

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File Specifications

bleed-
Bleed

Bleed is the extra margin trimmed after printing, preventing white edges. A standard bleed size is 0.125 inches (3mm).

cmyk vs rgb
CMYK

CMYK is the correct color mode for printing. RGB files convert automatically and may shift colors. Use 100% black for text.

image resolution
Resolutions

Images in prepress files should be at least 300 dpi to ensure sharp details, clear images, and professional print quality.

pdf file format
File Format

We recommend using high-quality PDF files, as Adobe InDesign exports print-ready PDFs for precise, consistent printing results.

At BookPrintingChina, we offer professional file-checking services and custom templates. If you’re unsure how to layout your artwork, feel free to contact us; we’re happy to provide detailed guidelines and support.

Order Process at BookPrintingChina

1

Request a Quote

Submit specs and receive your tailored quote within 1-2 hours.

2

Upload Your Design

Send your print-ready PDF via email or shared link easily.

3

Review Your File

We check your file for free to ensure perfect print readiness.

4

Approve Proof

Pay the deposit, then make a free digital printed proof for approval.

5

Production

Upon approval, we begin full production with strict quality control.

6

Shipping

After balance payment, we pack securely and ship by air or sea.

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Order Sample Pack

BookPrintingChina Reviews

5 star review
Great custom designs!
Ellen at ChinaPrinting4u was responsive and helpful throughout the process of printing my books. The product was excellent, and the books arrived beautifully packed. I give the company high marks for both quality and customer service!

Katherine: 4 days ago

5 star review
Great custom designs!
Ellen at ChinaPrinting4u was responsive and helpful throughout the process of printing my books. The product was excellent, and the books arrived beautifully packed. I give the company high marks for both quality and customer service!

Katherine: 4 days ago

5 star review
Great custom designs!
Ellen at ChinaPrinting4u was responsive and helpful throughout the process of printing my books. The product was excellent, and the books arrived beautifully packed. I give the company high marks for both quality and customer service!

Katherine: 4 days ago

5 star review
Great custom designs!
Ellen at ChinaPrinting4u was responsive and helpful throughout the process of printing my books. The product was excellent, and the books arrived beautifully packed. I give the company high marks for both quality and customer service!

Katherine: 4 days ago

5 star review
Great custom designs!
Ellen at ChinaPrinting4u was responsive and helpful throughout the process of printing my books. The product was excellent, and the books arrived beautifully packed. I give the company high marks for both quality and customer service!

Katherine: 4 days ago

5 star review
Great custom designs!
Ellen at ChinaPrinting4u was responsive and helpful throughout the process of printing my books. The product was excellent, and the books arrived beautifully packed. I give the company high marks for both quality and customer service!

Katherine: 4 days ago

5 star review
Great custom designs!
Ellen at ChinaPrinting4u was responsive and helpful throughout the process of printing my books. The product was excellent, and the books arrived beautifully packed. I give the company high marks for both quality and customer service!

Katherine: 4 days ago

5 star review
Great custom designs!
Ellen at ChinaPrinting4u was responsive and helpful throughout the process of printing my books. The product was excellent, and the books arrived beautifully packed. I give the company high marks for both quality and customer service!

Katherine: 4 days ago

Excellent 4.9
5 star review

Based on 212 reviews

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Why Choose Us For Manual Printing

Unbeatable Pricing

With over 25 years of printing and shipping experience, we help you save 30–40% on costs than other online printers.

100% Satisifiation

We guarantee 100% high quality; if you’re not completely satisfied, we promise a reprint or a full refund.

Expert Support

One-on-one professional, responsive online assistance, including pre-press artwork, material selection, shipping, etc.

Global Shipping

Secure, cost-efficient worldwide shipping options ensure your magazines arrive safely and on time.

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We’re Love to Hear From You

We appreciate your interest in BookPrintingChina. Our goal is to deliver a manual printing experience that is smooth, cost-effective, refined, and efficient from start to finish.

For general questions, simply submit the enquiry form and our sales specialists will respond promptly. To receive a precise project quote, we encourage you to use our online Quote Form, which helps us match the best options to your specific requirements. You may also contact us directly at sales@bookprintingchina.com.

Our team is available seven days a week, with most enquiries answered within 1–2 hours. We look forward to turning your ideas into beautifully printed products with the quality and attention to detail BookPrintingChina is known for.

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TrustScore: 4.9 | 229 reviews
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